del Toros The Shape of Water wins Venice Golden Lion

Los Angeles, Sep 10 (PTI) Filmmaker Guillermo del Toros monster thriller "The Shape of Water" has won the Venice Film Festivals top prize, the Golden Lion.

Starring Sally Hawkins as a mute custodian who forms a deep relationship with a mysterious South American creature (realised onscreen by Doug Jones), "The Shape of Water" earned rave reviews after its initial Venice Film Festival premiere, reported Entertainment Weekly.

The feature, which Fox Searchlight will release in December, also stars Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Michael Shannon as the films chief villain.

A jury led by American actress Annette Bening chose the film from among 21 competing at the 74th annual festival.